Crowe launches Dublin job creation document

Sinn Féin Councillor Seán Crowe this evening launched a new document entitled Let’s get Dublin Working, containing proposals to save and create almost 100,000 jobs in Dublin in 2011.

Speaking at the launch Councillor Crowe set out six steps to get Dublin back to work while attacking the Government’s inaction of job creation.

Councillor Crowe pointed out that 1 in 8 people are unemployed in Dublin and the Government’s focus on the banks has not helped these people.

He called for the establishment on a 1916 Quarter encompassing the GPO and the historic buildings on Moore Street and for a Ceathrú Gaelteachta to develop the Irish language in the city.

He said: “While the Government has been obsessed with pouring public money into failed banks they have failed completely to act on the unemployment crisis.  The plight of the ever growing numbers of unemployed has been ignored by this Government.

“Sinn Féin has consistently said that the only way to properly deal with the current economic crisis is to focus on creating and retaining jobs.  We must get people back to work, put a few bob in their pockets and get them spending again.  That is the progressive way out of recession.

“It is in that spirit that we are launching our proposals to get Dublin working again.  In this document, Let’s get Dublin Working, Sinn Féin is putting forward clear, achievable and fully costed proposals that could save and create almost 100,000 jobs in Dublin in 2011.

“We need to support Dublin businesses and entrepreneurs, invest in infrastructure such as hospitals, schools and public transport infrastructure and build brand Dublin.  We must complete the regeneration schemes around the city while investing in community facilities that would create jobs with social benefits for local areas.

“We are also calling for the establishment of a 1916 Quarter in the city by developing and maintaining a new cultural quarter encompassing the GPO and the historic buildings on Moore Street.  This quarter would then be a base for historical and cultural tourism in the city.

“And we also want to see the establishment of a Ceathrú Gaelteachta to develop the Irish language in the city.  Services for Irish speakers and learners could be concentrated on this area to create a critical mass and a new hub for economic activity and employment.

“There is an onus on all opposition political parties put forward their proposals and visions for the Ireland they want to create.  It is not good enough to simply be critical of the current Government or to use sound-bites to get media attention.

“Sinn Féin is providing a real alternative with serious proposals and well grounded and fair economic and social policies.”